Polygonal paperboard boxes



Jan. 14, 1958 c. E. SAUEZR 2,819,833

POLYGONAL PAPERBOARD BOXES 7 Filed April 5, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. CHARLES E. 64UR we 4M4 A TTORNQS.

Jan. 14, 1958 c. E. SAUER 2,819,833

POLYGONAL PAPERBOARD BOXES Filed April 5, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CHARLES E. SAUER ATTORNEYS.

POLYGONAL PAPERBOARD BOXES Charles E. Saner, Highland, 11]., assignor to Highland Box Company, Highland, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Application April 5, 1954, Serial No. 420,996

8 Claims. (Cl. 229-41) This invention relates to paperboard containers, and more particularly, to octagonal boxes, such as are used in packaging coiled wire.

Although electrical wire may be handled in various ways, a particularly convenient method involves the use of an octagonal box shaped to conform about an otherwise loose coil of wire. The box protects the wire during storage and shipment, and in use, a hole is cut in the center for the purpose of withdrawing wire as needed.

Such a polygonal container necessarily presents problems in manufacture. It is desirable to us to use a blank which can be readily cut and shipped in flat condition to the user, and the blank should be of such a character as to permit the container to be set up with a minimum of effort. In the case of coiled wire, the container is erected about the coil and in being erected, becomes substantially sealed, access subsequently being had by cutting a hole in the center rather than by disassembly of the boX.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the invention is to provide a blank which may be conveniently formed into a multisided box about a contained article. Among the several other objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a container of the type described which is self-sealing without gluing or the like; the provision of a container that may be formed from a one-piece blank or from two pieces; the provision of a blank of the type described which can be cut with minimum waste of material; and the provision of a box which is reinforced at its sides.

In the attainment of these objectives, briefly, I provide a blank having top and bottom panels which may be integrally joined together by a common side-forming member; each panel carries a second side-forming member opposite the first member. In the case of an octagonal box, the panels are of octagonal outline and additional side-forming members are provided on both panels to lie between and at right angles to the above-mentioned first and second members. The side-forming members hinged to the top panel preferably have rectangular extensions laterally hinged thereto, whereas the side-forming members attached to the bottom panel may have laterallyhinged triangular extensions. In assembly, the various side members and lateral extensions on the top and bottom panels overlie one another. Four additional oblique sideforming members hinged to the bottom panel are then swung upwardly to overlie these extensions and are secured by end flaps which tuck under the top panel. The end flaps may be provided with ears so that the finished container becomes substantially locked against opening.

Other features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out in the following detail description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an oblique view of a paperboard container embodying features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a blank from which the container of Fig. l is made;

Fig. 3 is an oblique view showing the blank in partially erected condition; and

States atent Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. 3, illustrating the container in substantially completed condition.

The container herein described preferably is made from paperboard, either of the corrugated or solid fiber type, which is die-cut and creased to form the blank illustrated in Fig. 2. This blank has a pair of octagonal panels, one of which is designated 1 and will be referred to as the bottom panel and the other of which is designated 3 and will be referred to as the top panel, but this relationship could be reversed. These panels are integrally connected at 7 and 9 to a member 5, which forms one of the sides of the finished container. A second opposite side is formed by a similar side member 11, which is integrally connected to the panel 3 along a crease 13. The side member 11, in turn, has rectangular extensions 15 laterally hinged at 17 to project a distance corresponding approximately to half the width of the adjacent sides, which are defined by cuts 19.

Between the side members 5 and 11 and spaced therefrom are two additional side-forming members 21, which are similar to the above-mentioned member 11. As indicated, the members 21 fold at 23 and rectangular extensions 25 are laterally hinged thereto at 27. It may be noted that the rectangular extensions 15 and 25 are cut with their inner edges 29 offset outwardly a slight amount from the corresponding hinge lines 13 and 23.

The bottom panel 1 differs somewhat from the top panel 3. It also carries a second side-forming member 31 opposite the first side member 5, the former being hingedly connected along a crease 33; but the lateral extensions 35, which are hinged at 37 to members 5 and 31, are of triangular outline. Also, the extensions 35 are cut with their outer edges 39 ofiset inwardly with respect to the extremities 9 and 38 of their associated side members 5 and 31, respectively. Ideally, the edges 39 should coincide with the edges 29 in the assembled carton to form a gap beneath the top panel.

Otherwise, the triangular extensions 35 are bounded by die cuts 40, which also form the edges of adjacent side-forming members 41. There are four opposed side members 41 hingedly connected to the bottom panel 1 along hinge lines 43, aud'each carries an end tuck-in flap 45, which is hinged at crease 47. These flaps 45 are somewhat pointed and further have cars 49, which project beyond the edges of the associated side members 41, one of which edges is designated 40. The other edge of each side-forming member 41 is defined by die cuts Sit.

Between the cuts 50 lie a pair of side members 51, which are hingedly connected to the bottom panel 1 along fold lines 53. The members 51 are similar to the member 31 in that they carry triangular extensions 55, which are hinged along parallel lines 57 and which have outer edges 59 inwardly offset from the outer edges 58. As will be apparent, the extensions 55 are otherwise defined by the cuts 50. In assembly, the side-forming members 31 and 51 on the bottom panel underlie the corresponding members 11 and 21 of the top panel. For that reason, the creases 7, 33 and 53 may be slightly closer than creases 9, 13 and 23. On the other hand, the side-forming mem bers 41 overlie the various extensions 15, 25, 35 and 55, hence the creases 43 may be widely spaced in comparison to the fold lines 7, 9, 13, 23, 33 and 53.

'- form generally with the periphery of the panel 1 so as to be closely confined in the completed container. The three side members 31 and 51 on the bottom are then folded upwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 3, and their triangular extensions 35 and 55 are turned inwardly to lie over the crease lines 43. The other side member is then folded upwardly (its extensions 35 being turned inwardly), and the top octagonal panel 3 is brought down to overlie the bottom panel in spaced relationship. As this is done, the three side members 11 and 21 depending from the top panel are brought into overlying relationship with the three upstanding side members 31 and 51 on the bottom panel. Also, the rectangular extensions 15 and are turned inwardly into overlying rela tionship with the triangular extensions 35 and 55, respectively. The triangular extensions approach substantially abutting relationship and the rectangular extensions on the sides obliquely opposite the panel 5 substantially close. The sides formed at 11 and 21 are thus reinforced by the side members 31 and 51.

The intervening sides, which are only in part closed by the extensions, are then completed by folding up the four side members 41. The entire box becomes locked upon tucking the end flaps 45 between the edges 19 of the top panel and the edges 29 and 39 of the extensions, there being a gap provided for this purpose, as explained previously. In being tucked in, the ears 49 of the end flaps 45 interlock behind the other side members as illustrated in Fig. 4. It will be apparent that the sides at 41 are also reinforced in varying degree by the rectangular and triangular extensions, referred to above.

While the box is easily assembled, a substantial looking condition results and the box will resist opening despite much knocking about and general abuse. Indeed, in the case of electrical wire, the contemplated method of opening the box involves cutting a hole in the center of one of the panels 1 or 3 so that wire may be uncoiled and withdrawn as needed. The wire not immediately used remains protected within the container. Of course, the box may be opened in the manner in which it was set up, if so desired.

It may additionally be noted that the blank described is adapted, at least in part, for use with semi-automatic packaging apparatus. For example, the bottom panel 1 may be pushed within a mold which will cause slight inturning of the triangular extensions 35 and 55, followed by upturning of the associated side-forming members 31 and 51. At the same time, the rectangular extensions 15 and 25 may be caused to tip upwardly, followed by upfolding of their associated side-forming members 11 and 21. The top panel 3 may then be swung over, and as the box is then driven down further within the mold, such additional movement would cause infolding of the flaps 45, followed by upturning of the side members 41 and entry of the flaps 45 within the gaps provided for them.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that those skilled in the art will understand the structure, function and mode of operation of the invention herein disclosed, and appreciate the advantages thereof. Although one embodiment has been disclosed in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but the drawings and description thereof are to be understood as being merely illustrative.

For example, the container could be made from two pieces, one of which would be like that portion of the Fig. 2 blank shown below the line 9 and the other of which pieces would be similar to that shown above the line 7. Also, the container could be reversed so that the panel 1 becomes the top; and in that event, the side members 31 and 51 would overlie the side members 11 and 21 so that raw edges would not be exposed about the top. Furthermore, some of the extensions or side members might be eliminated, and the container might be of a diiferent shape, although one of the panels .should have at least two side-forming members with lateral extensions, and the other panel should have interposed sideforming members, which preferably have end flaps that tuck between the other panel and the associated lateral extensions.

It is realized that many modifications and variations will present themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A paperboard container comprising top and bottom panels joined by a first side-forming member, a second side-forming member joined to said top panel opposite said first side-forming member, a second pair of sideforming members hinged to said top panel, said second pair of side-forming members having lateral extensions which are folded inwardly generally toward said first and second side wall members, all of the above side-forming members being in spaced relationship from one another, and a set of four additional side-forming members in said intervening space, each of said four intervening sideforming members being hinged to said bottom panel and having an end flap tucked between said top panel and the lateral extensions on said second pair of side-forming members.

2. A paperboard blank for an octagonal container comprising top and bottom panels of octagonal outline integrally joined by an intervening side-forming member of rectangular outline, said first side-forming member having lateral extensions hinged thereto, each of said octagonal panels having a second side-forming member hinged opposite said first side-forming member, and each of said second side-forming members having lateral extensions hinged thereto, third and fourth side-forming members hinged to each of said panels along lines at right angles to said first and said second side-forming members and having lateral extensions hinged thereto, and four additional side-forming members hinged to one of said octagonal panels between its other four side-forming members.

3. A blank as set forth in claim 2, wherein said lastmentioned four side-forming members each has an end flap.

4. A blank as set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said end flaps has ears which project beyond the side edges of the associated side-forming members.

5. A blank as set forth in claim 2, wherein the sideforming members associated with one of the octagonal panels have lateral extensions of generally rectangular outline and wherein the corresponding side-forming members associated with the other octagonal panels have lateral extensions of generally triangular outline.

6. A container comprising top and bottom panels joined by a first side-forming member, a second side-forming member joined opposite said first side-forming member to said top panel, said second side-forming member having lateral extensions, and at least two additional sideforming members hinged to said bottom panel between said first and second side-forming members, said additional side-forming members having end flaps tucked between said top panel and the lateral extensions of said second side-forming panel, said bottom panel further including a side-forming member hinged thereto and underlying said second side-forming member.

7. A container comprising top and bottom panels joined by a first side-forming member, a second sideforming member joined opposite said first side-forming member to said top panel, said second side-forming memher having lateral extensions, and at least two additional side-forming members hinged to said bottom panel between said first and second side-forming members, said additional side-forming members having end flaps tucked between said top panel and the lateral extensions of said.

second side-forming panel, each of said second pair of side-forming members lying adjacent and at an oblique angle with respect to one of the other side-forming members.

8. A container as set forth in claim 7, wherein the end flaps on each of said second pair of side-forming members have ears which project laterally to engage behind the side-forming member lying adjacent thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Comley Oct. 3, 1939 Ray Jan. 5, 1943 Shearer June 1, 1943 Loth Apr. 25, 1944 

